IT Volunteer

We are recruiting for an IT volunteer to help with our Education Department's use of ECHO.

ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) is an education and support model that St Columba’s Hospice Care has been using since 2018, to widen access to palliative care by supporting the palliative care knowledge and skills of health and social professionals and services outwith the hospice.

ECHO networks are created and meet regularly using ZOOM technology. Our ECHO Hub is one of over 50 UK hospice ECHO Hubs.

We have mainly used the model to support palliative knowledge and skills in care homes and with homeless services and with NHS volunteers working in elderly care settings.

ECHO

• Supports those delivering palliative care in settings other than the hospice.
• Creates communities of practice/networks where meaningful and sustainable learning and support occurs.
• A methodology based on collaboration, inclusion and participation creating non-judgmental relationships. Learning needs are identified by the network.
• Through skilled facilitation a safe environment is created to allow for shared learning and reflection on practice. Everyone is a learner and a teacher.

ECHO Session

• Set programme of monthly ECHO sessions (60-90 mins)
• 15-20 minute PowerPoint Presentation (PPP) from an ‘expert’
• Facilitated discussion on two case presentations from network participants

What will I be doing/involved in?

• Manage/host ZOOM meetings by admitting people from waiting room, maintain clarity of vision and sound throughout session and provide any assistance to participants.

• Support presenters and facilitator with sharing screens and recording sessions.

• Offer any suggestions relating to the equipment/technology/ connectivity that will help with the success of project ECHO.

• During a session the facilitator needs to be focused on engaging with participants and running the session without being distracted by technology. It is also important that participants are able to join in discussion freely without concern about connectivity, vision or sound issues.

• The IT support role monitors technical problems and if these occur communicates directly with participants using the ‘Chat’ function, working in the background to ensure that the technology remains invisible.

• ECHO session can involve sensitive and upsetting discussions about the challenges and difficulties of delivering palliative or end of life care.

• All Hospice staff and volunteers are expected to reflect our Hospice Values in the way they carry out their roles, and in their interactions with each other and with patients, family members and any other visitors. Our Values are: Care and Compassion, Respect, Trust and Partnership

What experience or skills do I need?

• Experience or familiarity with video conferencing with some basic understanding of the soft and hardware.

• Understanding of managing Zoom and Microsoft Team virtual meetings technology.

• Open to learning new skills

Time commitment and duration

There maybe more that one ECHO Network running at a time but a session for a network generally occurs every 3 - 4 weeks.

The role will be reviewed on a yearly basis.

Where will I be based?

The Education Centre, St Columba's Hospice Care, 15 Boswall Road, Edinburgh

Who will be supporting me?

St Columba’s Hopsice Care ECHO Team-

Project Lead and Education Team Administrator

Who else will support me?

Other IT Support Volunteers

ECHO Super Hub, Highland Hospice, Inverness

Volunteer Services

Recruitment checks

• Application Form
• Interview with Volunteer Services Manager and ECHO Team Lead
• Two references
• Volunteers must be 18 or over

Training

• 3 day virtual ECHO training, with other ECHO team members from Highand Hospice
• Hospice Volunteer Induction/Orientation Programme
• Hospice Team meetings (if/as necessary)

Additional Information

• Hospice Chaplains are always available to support volunteers
• Volunteers may claim reasonable travelling expenses for transport to and from the Hospice, or the place you volunteer, e.g. one of our retail shops. Please speak to your manager about this.
• The Hospice provides complimentary tea and coffee to all volunteers, staff, patients and families as part of the hospitality strategy.
• If you volunteer for a full day at the Hospice, you can claim a free meal from the staff café or Iona Café. Please speak to your manager about this.

 You can apply online here

Alternatively, please email us at volunteer@stcolumbashospice.org.uk to request a paper application form, or to ask us any questions about the role

Download a role description